William Thurman

Thurman, Lt. Gen. William E.

Lieutenant General William Thurman, a celebrated military leader, 1952 Olympian, and pioneer in aviation development, passed away at his home in Pinehurst, North Carolina on December 26, at the age of 93.

Born in Hodgenville, Kentucky - birthplace of Abraham Lincoln - General Thurman exhibited a deep sense of duty, humility and determination throughout his extraordinary life. A 1954 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, his commitment to excellence was evident early on. In 1952, while still a midshipman, he earned a seat on the national and Olympic champion Navy rowing team. The lessons in perseverance and teamwork from crew would define his future career.

General Thurman's military service was marked by distinction and innovation. A Top Gun at the USAF Fighter Weapons School, he became a highly decorated combat command pilot and member of the River Rats, an elite fraternity of fighter pilots who completed scores of missions over the heavily defended Red River Valley in Viet Nam. General Thurman's numerous combat citations included, among others, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart.

His contributions to the future of military aviation extended far beyond the battlefield. As director of the lightweight fighter program, General Thurman oversaw the development of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, arguably the most impactful single-engine fighter in history, and the YF-17, which evolved into the F/A-18 Hornet, a mainstay of the U.S. Navy. He subsequently led the B-1B Lancer program (at the time, the largest U.S. Air Force order in history), and played a key role in advancing other critical air systems, including short takeoff and landing programs (V-22 Osprey) and military transport (C-17 Globemaster).

His expertise and leadership earned him numerous non-combat awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal (the nation's second highest non-combat award), and the Legion of Merit. He was assigned command of the Defense Systems Management College at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, to help develop the next generation of military leaders. His final military post was Commander of the Aeronautical Systems Division of Air Force Systems Command, responsible for over 10,000 military and civilian personnel in the development and production of aeronautical systems essential to the U.S. Air Force and allied nations worldwide.

His academic achievements were equally impressive. In addition to his degree from Annapolis, he earned master's degrees in engineering and management from Stanford, Ohio State, George Washington University, the Air Force Institute of Technology, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF).

General Thurman's command was characterized by civic responsibility and personal connection. He was affectionately known as "the bike riding General", a nod to his lifelong passion for fitness and outdoor activity. He was awarded the Air Force Equal Employment Opportunity Award, along with recognition by the NAACP, for his efforts to advance minority participation in government programs.

Following his retirement from active duty in 1988, General Thurman joined Boeing, where he continued to advance the development of next-generation air systems until retiring to Pinehurst, North Carolina to pursue his life-long goal of consistently breaking 80.

Reflecting on his storied career, General Thurman once described his military service as "the ultimate social service" - a philosophy that guided his every endeavor. Above all else, he was devoted to his family, his country, and his home state of Kentucky, where he was inducted into the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame and awarded the honorary commission as Kentucky Colonel.

He is survived by Joan, his wife of 66 years; two sons; his grandchildren; and extended family. He will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

His legacy will live on in the aircraft he helped bring to life, the leaders he mentored, and the lives he touched along the way.

On line condolences can be made to www.bolesfuneralhome.com

Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.